Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine: ECOWAS Court President
Monrovia-The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, on Tuesday marked the beginning of a new chapter in its institutional life with the formal handing over of affairs from the outgoing College of Judges to the incoming College, with Liberia’s Cllr. Charylne Brumskine taking over the presidency, and pledging to dispense justice without fear or favor.
She was recently inducted into office as one of the judges of the college of judges of the court headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.
The ceremony, held at the seat of the Court in Abuja, brought together the Honorable President and members of the outgoing College of Judges, Honorable Vice Presidents of the Court, incoming College members, Acting Chief Registrar, Directors of the Courts, Heads of Divisions and members of staff.
In his inaugural address, Cllr. Brumskine, the newly elected President of the Court, speaking with “profound humility and a deep sense of duty,” said she was sincerely grateful to her esteemed colleagues for the confidence reposed in him.
“I accept this responsibility fully conscious of the obligations it entails and the expectations that accompany leading a regional judicial institution entrusted with interpreting and applying Community law and protecting human rights,” the new President said.”
She said regards the office she assumed, not as a personal distinction, but as an opportunity to serve the Court, the ECOWAS Community, and ultimately, the people of West Africa.”
Cllr. Brumskine also described the transition as an important moment of continuity, renewal and collective responsibility, and a reminder that institutions endure beyond the individuals who serve them.
“The Community Court of Justice has developed through collective contributions of successive Colleges of Judges, judicial officers, management and staff. Each leadership period has contributed to the Court’s institutional experience and jurisprudential development,” she said.
“The incoming College’s responsibility, therefore, is not to begin anew, but to build on the foundations already established, preserve the institution’s core values and respond constructively to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
She acknowledged the service of the outgoing President and Judges and the institutional knowledge they have placed at the disposal of the new leadership.
According to Cllr. Brumskine, the incoming College received the handing over notes, State of the Court reports and relevant legal and administrative instruments, pledging that “We commit to studying them carefully and ensuring continuity in the Court’s governance and operations.”
She added that the documents represent more than formal records, provide a basis for understanding the institution’s current position, ongoing responsibilities, operational challenges and priorities requiring our attention.
“Our leadership will approach these matters with seriousness, openness and a commitment to responsible institutional stewardship,” she assured.
The new ECOWAS Court of Justice President said as the new leadership assumes office, it is fully conscious of the solemn responsibilities entrusted to it, to dispense justice without fear or favour, to uphold the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, protocols and human rights instruments, and to remain accessible to the citizens of the Community.
The handing over marks the end of the tenure of the outgoing College and the commencement of a new term for the incoming five-member College that will steer the affairs of the regional court for the next four years.
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